May 29 and unfulfilled promises

Since 1999, May 29 has become a date for not only reflection on the democratic journey of Nigeria but also for a due review of legitimate demands and expectations by the citizens. As a date on which democracy was restored to the country after a protracted military rule, May 29 has become a fundamental part of Nigeria’s history. 

Having not only passionately yearned but also doggedly struggled for the re-introduction of democratic rule, which ultimately took effect on May 29, 1999, Nigerians have become fully conscious of the significance of the date. Even with the transfer, in 2019, of its original theme as a Democracy Day to the 12th of June by the immediate past administration under late President Muhammadu Buhari, May 29 has retained its immense historical and political importance.

Naturally, the ordinary citizens would expect all  politicians occupying or vying for elective positions to consider May 29 as a date for not only inauguration of election winners but also stock-taking by the electorate. It is a moment at which, at both formal and informal levels, assessments of performances of leaders or analysis of the capacity the newly-elected ones vis-a-vis the expectations of the people are carried out.

This year’s May 29, which marks the completion of the three years of the present government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is an exceptional moment that necessitates such an assessment. Between now and next year’s May 29 when the first four-year term of the administration will terminate, the concern over the state of the nation, especially as it relates to the security and welfare of the citizens, will rapidly  increase.

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Evidently, available data is not in favour of the much- touted success story of the Tinubu administration. 

Of course, before he took office on May 29, 2023, Nigeria was already battling deep poverty, rising debt, insecurity and economic stagnation. However, conditions have worsened sharply in the last three years. The World Bank estimated that about 40 per cent of Nigerians lived below the poverty line before Tinubu’s inauguration, but current projections  show that the country’s poverty rate climbed to 63%, meaning over 140 million people are trapped in poverty.

Inflation, currency collapse and high living costs continue to squeeze households.

Petrol sold for about N185 to N254 per litre before subsidy removal in May 2023, but now sells between N1, 300 and over N1,400 in many parts of the country, triggering a chain reaction in transport, food and energy costs. Those in position of are attributing the spike to the US, Israel war on Iran, but where are the gains of the windfall from the hike in cost of crude oil? Nigerians are left with questions on their lips without safeguards apart of purported conditional – cash figures being bandied around that are difficult to track

The naira, which exchanged at roughly N460 to one dollar at the official market before Tinubu assumed office, has depreciated to over N1, 400 in parts of the foreign exchange market, wiping out savings and weakening purchasing power.

Though official unemployment figures became controversial after a methodology review, millions of Nigerians remain underemployed, while many businesses continue to shut down or relocate. Major firms that exited or scaled down operations include GlaxoSmithKline, Procter & Gamble, Microsoft, Unilever and Jumia Food, citing forex scarcity and harsh operating conditions.

In practical terms, most Nigerians are not faring better today. Within the next one year, Tinubu must urgently stabilise the naira, reduce inflation, tackle insecurity, revive local refining, cut the cost of governance, support small businesses and restore investor confidence, or public frustration may deepen further.

Apart from  Tinubu, other elected leaders currently seeking re-election should, as a matter of utmost priority, conduct a self-assessment with a view to establishing whether they have justified the mandates given to them by Nigerians or not. They should recall that in the course of the campaigns and other engagements, they made pledges to meet some fundamental demands of the people.

President Tinubu in particular should endeavour to reflect on all his past promises vis-a-vis the prevailing situation in the country. His unreserved vow to address the challenges in the various sectors which was the basis of the relative confidence that was invested in him by the voters should continue to linger in his mind. 

Nigerians have rightly continued to remember that he, for example, pledged to tackle insecurity and joblessness, salvage the power sector as well as address the infrastructure deficit. It is for this reason that Nigerians, shortly after his inauguration, strongly hoped to have a country in which security of lives, political stability  and possibilities of socio-economic growth are guaranteed.

Daily Trust attributes the widespread and ceaseless expression of disenchantment over the disheartening state of affairs in the country to the Tinubu’s avoidable failure to translate commitment into favourable realities. It is always, rather than delivery of tangible results, a renewal of promises by the same government that expressed resolve to make a huge difference.

Even in his message last Wednesday on the occasion of the Eid-el-Kabir celebration, President Tinubu simply re-assured Nigerians that “the reforms we have pursued will continue to yield improved security and greater opportunities for all.” This kind of re-assurance, which is not backed by real actions that can make the desired impact, is the main cause of the continuous decline of public trust in the government.

We believe that as the country speedily goes into period of intensive politicking, which will be followed by another cycle of elections, more questions about the absence of tangible dividends of democracy will be persistently thrown up. As a president who, for example, reportedly once asked the citizens, in the course of campaigns, not to re-elect him if he could not stabilise power supply within the first two years of his first term in office, he should be prepared to explain his failure to keep the promise.

May 29 should be more a period of engagement between the leaders, precisely the president, and the ordinary citizens than an occassion for the celebration of some imagined achievements and/or renewal of promises. The manner in which President Tinubu responds to the genuine public demand for accountability will show the level of his appreciation of the growing concerns of Nigerians over the issues of security and development of the country.

المصدر: Daily Trust (NG)